CORTICOSTEROID-REFRACTORY SECONDARY IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIA (ITP) ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19 INFECTION: A CASE REPORT OF SUCCESSFUL RITUXIMAB SALVAGE THERAPY

Ari Christy Muliono (Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala Surabaya, Indonesia)
Adhiwidnya Ananta (Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala Surabaya, Indonesia)

Jurnal Widya Medika
Vol. 12 No. 3 (2026): NOVEMBER

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), also known as immune thrombocytopenic purpura, is classified into two types: primary and secondary. Secondary ITP has numerous causes, one of which is COVID-19. While research on COVID-19 was extensive during the 2019–2022 pandemic, particularly regarding its role in triggering secondary conditions, cases of COVID-19-induced secondary ITP remain underreported. Although current COVID-19 cases typically present with milder symptoms, it remains a crucial differential diagnosis in the post-pandemic era. This case report aims to provide insight into steroid-resistant secondary ITP resulting from a COVID-19 infection.